“The seminary and church are one, and their relationship implies being servants [to one another] and partners”

OC’s first 2010 Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development took place April 13-16 in Quito, Ecuador, for all of Latin America and the Caribbean. The event was hosted by OC partner South American Ministerial Seminary (SEMISUD). Forty-four leaders from 34 strategic training programs and churches in the region attended the Institute, representing Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

During the four-day Institute themed “Re-envisioning Seminary-Church Relationships,” church and seminary leaders interacted with each other in order to build partnerships and be mutually beneficial in meeting each other’s needs. Participants focused on creating a culture of dialogue between seminaries and churches; exploring mutual expectations; understanding the importance of the context of the seminary, church and society; and offering training that responds to the needs of church and society.

Many participants said the Institute was very relevant and emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue and partnership with the church, as if a marriage between the two existed. One said, “As a representative of the seminary, I should make sure that we are listening to the church in order to adjust our curriculum to better serve the church and the purposes of the Kingdom.” Another said, “The seminary and church are one, and their relationship implies being servants [to one another] and partners.”

The next Institute for Excellence will take place May 4-7 at Scott Theological College (STC) in Nairobi, Kenya. Click here for the 2010 schedule.

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